The three young people were very happy and merry together during the hour or so which followed. After tea they repaired to the garden, and on the trunk of the big apple tree Tim carved Kitty's initials, and then Bob's, and then his own, with the big blade of his new treasure.
"There!" he cried, as he surveyed his finished handiwork, "How's that!"
"Beautifully done!" answered Kitty, admiringly.
"Ah," said Tim, "I've a good tool—I never before handled such a splendid knife." He shut it with a snap, and returned it to his pocket.
"Glad it suits you, old fellow!" said Bob, whilst Kitty looked very gratified. "Yes, the initials look all right—they're very well done indeed."
* * * * *
Shortly before midsummer, Tim's father arrived at B—, and, after his fortnight's holiday, returned to Dublin, taking his son with him. Tim had been quite low-spirited at parting with his friends next door although he had been going home; he had been sorry to say good-bye to his uncle, too. But, as it happened, he was not to be absent from B— long; for his uncle had offered to take him to live with him and to send him to the B— Grammar School. And as he was to go to his own people for the Christmas and the summer holidays, he was simply delighted with this arrangement. So the end of September found him once more a resident beneath his uncle's roof; and at the beginning of the autumn term he was entered as a pupil at B— Grammar School, where he was introduced to the boys by Bob Glanville as "my friend, Shuttleworth."
Kitty and Bob scarcely ever think of the old days now when they were so prejudiced against Tim Shuttleworth, and there is no one for whom Kitty has a greater liking and regard than the boy whom she once looked upon as her enemy.
THE END.
HEADLEY BROTHERS, 18, DEVONSHIRE STREET, E. C. 2; AND ASHFORD, KENT.